Yes, you can generally retake the Prometric exam if you fail. However, the specific rules regarding waiting periods, the number of allowed attempts, and any associated fees are determined by the licensing authority that oversees your profession and jurisdiction, not by Prometric itself. Key authorities in the Gulf region, such as the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), each have their own specific retake policies.
General Prometric Retake Policy
Prometric serves as the examination delivery partner for various health authorities. While they administer the test, the rules for eligibility, scheduling, and retakes are established by the sponsoring organization (the respective health authority). Most authorities understand that candidates may need multiple attempts and have established clear guidelines for retaking exams.
Waiting Periods and Attempts by Licensing Authority
The waiting period before you can retake a Prometric exam, and the maximum number of attempts allowed, vary significantly:
Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)
Waiting Period: Typically, candidates must wait a minimum of 30 days before being eligible to retake the exam.
Attempts: Generally, the SCFHS allows up to 3-4 attempts within a specified validity period for the exam eligibility (e.g., 3 years from the initial application). After exhausting these attempts, candidates might need to undergo a review of their professional qualifications or complete specific training before being allowed further attempts.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Waiting Period: The waiting period for DHA exams is usually between 45 to 90 days.
Attempts: The DHA typically permits a maximum of 3 attempts. If a candidate fails all three attempts, they may be required to complete further education, training, or clinical experience before reapplying for the license.
Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH, formerly HAAD)
Waiting Period: Candidates usually need to wait 45 to 60 days before scheduling a retake.
Attempts: The DoH generally allows 3 attempts for its licensing exams. Similar to DHA, failing three times often necessitates additional training or academic review.
Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP - UAE)
Waiting Period: Similar to DHA and DoH, MOHAP exams often have a waiting period of 45 to 60 days for retakes.
Attempts: MOHAP usually permits up to 3 attempts. Beyond this, a formal review or additional educational requirements are typically mandated.
Steps to Retake a Prometric Exam
If you fail your Prometric exam and wish to retake it, follow these general steps:
Review Your Results: Analyze the score report provided by Prometric to identify your weak areas. This helps in focused preparation.
Understand the Authority's Retake Policy: Consult the official website of the specific health authority (e.g., SCFHS, DHA, DoH, MOHAP) to confirm their latest retake guidelines, waiting periods, and maximum attempts.
Re-apply and Pay Fees: You will typically need to re-apply through the health authority's online portal and pay the examination fee again for each retake attempt.
Schedule the Exam: Once the waiting period has passed and your application is processed, you can schedule your retake exam through the Prometric website.
Intensive Preparation: Utilize your previous experience to refine your study plan. Focus on areas where you scored lower and consider additional study resources.
Important Considerations for Retakes
Each retake typically incurs the full exam fee.
Policies are subject to change, so always verify the most current regulations on the official health authority websites.
Repeated failures may have implications for future eligibility or require remedial education, as stipulated by the licensing body.
